Triple-A Columbus (47-32) - Host Columbus defeated Indianapolis by a score of 7-3 for the second consecutive game...RHP Carlos Carrasco (7-3, 4.22 ERA) earned the win by holding the Indians to two runs while scattering five hits. He also issued five walks but struck out six batters...1B Jordan Brown went 3-for-3 with two doubles and four RBI...LF Michael Brantley went 3-for-5 with a double, RBI and two runs scored.

Double-A Akron (39-40) - Visiting Akron defeated Richmond 8-6...RHP Alex White (3-4, 1.72 ERA) was dominant through 6 1/3 innings to earn the win. The Indians No. 1 pick (15th overall) in the 2009 draft, held Richmond to just one earned run on five hits while striking out four...1B Matt McBride went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI...3B Lonnie Chisenhall went 1-for-4 with two RBI.

CLEVELAND: In his first game back after the Indians called him up from Columbus on Sunday, Matt LaPorta struck out twice, lined to an oufielder and grounded into a double play.

The inauspicious start might have made some team officials pause about trading Russell Branyan to make room for LaPorta. But in his next two games, LaPorta had three hits in seven at-bats, including a home run and a double.

""We have high hopes for this kid,'' manager Manny Acta said. ""We don't want to say too much and put extra pressure on him, but he's done it his whole life, and there's no reason why he won't do it for us.''

Triple-A Columbus (46-32) - Host Columbus defeated Indianapolis 7-3...LHP David Huff (2-0, 2.13 ERA) earned the win in limiting the Indians to two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out five over five innings...3B Jared Goedert hit a three-run home run...1B Jordan Brown went 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Double-A Akron (37-40) - Visiting Akron slipped by Richmond 4-3...In his Double-A debut, RHP Marty Popham held the Flying Squirrels to one run on five hits over six solid frames but was saddled with a a no-decision when RHP Zach Putnam blew the save by allowing two runs on three hits in just one inning of relief...2B Jason Kipnis hit a home run...1B Matt McBride went 2-for-4 with a double...CF Jordan Henry (2-for-4) put the Aeros back on top for good with a two-run single in the eighth inning.

Aeros players and 3B Lonnie Chisenhall, OF John Drennen and RHP Bryce Stowell were named to the Western Division roster for the 2010 Eastern League All-Star Game in Harrisburg, Pa., July 14th.

Chisenhall, the Indians first-round selection (29th overall) in the 2008 draft, is also participating in the 12th annual MLB XM All-Star Futures Game on July 11th in Anaheim, California. The 21-year old left-handed hitter is batting .276 with six home runs and 28 RBI for the Aeros so far this season.

CLEVELAND: Having been the manager who pulled the trigger on the first two Indians' squeeze plays since 2003, you probably think Manny Acta is one of those National League-bred skippers who is in love with the tactic.

Acta, indeed, spent his first 2 1/2 years as manager with a National League team, the woebegone Nationals of Washington. But the squeeze play isn't the first thing that pops into his mind when he is looking to score.

""I'd rather have nine guys hitting .340 with a .540 on-base percentage, so you don't have to do it,'' he said Tuesday.

The Aeros made a series of roster moves Tuesday as LHP Nick Hagadone was transferred to Short-Season Mahoning Valley, RHP Marty Popham joined the Aeros from high Class-A Kinston and 1B Beau Mills was activated from the disabled list.

Hagadone, tabbed as the third-best prospect in the Cleveland Indians organization prior to the season by Baseball America, is 1-0 with a 6.16 ERA in his first five Double-A starts.

CLEVELAND: Now that Matt LaPorta has been promoted form Columbus to Cleveland, can Michael Brantley be far behind?

And once Brantley is summoned from Triple-A, who will be the next prospect to find his way onto the Indians' roster?

This is, after all, a rebuilding year for the Tribe. At the outset of the season, Russell Branyan, Austin Kearns and even Mark Grudzielanek stood in the way of the kids moving up the ladder. Grudzielanek and Branyan are gone. LaPorta's elevation to the big leagues is the reason Branyan was traded to the Mariners late Saturday night.

CINCINNATI: The Indians waited until after midnight Sunday to announce a trade with Seattle for first baseman Russell Branyan, and Matt LaPorta arrived here from Columbus at 2 a.m. In exchange for the veteran left-handed slugger, the Tribe received two minor leaguers: outfielder Ezequiel Carrera, 22, currently on the minor-league disabled list with a hip pointer, and 21-year-old shortstop Juan Diaz.

However, in the here and now, the deal was made to find playing time for LaPorta.

Under most circumstances, a manager who allowed a pitcher to throw that many pitches would be summoned to the principal's office for a stern talking to. Then again, a chance to get into the record books might be a good enough reason to ignore the usual conventions. Manny Acta thinks so.

Triple-A Columbus (45-30) – Carlos Carrasco struck out eight in seven innings as the Clippers beat Gwinnett 7-5. He gave up eight hits and three runs. He walked two. Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley each drove in two runs. Jared Goedert hit another home run, his seventh in 69 at bats with the Clippers, fifth in the last 10 games and 14th of the season (Akron and Columbus).

CINCINNATI: Russell Branyan starts a double play by stepping on first and a run scores as a result; Rafael Perez throws to first, but his aim is so poor, the ball lands in the glove of the second baseman; Carlos Santana drops a throw to the plate on a force out and two runs score.

These are a few -- and only a few -- of the Indians' recent misplays in the field. Manager Manny Acta has blamed some of the defensive lapses on ""a revolving door'' triggered by the injuries to center fielder Grady Sizemore and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. In part, that's correct.

As Acta says, it's a lot easier to play solid defense when the same players are stationed at the same positions game after game. But that's not the only problem

Triple-A Columbus (43-30) – The Clippers beat Rochester 11-2. Third baseman Jared Goedert continued is hot pace going 2 for 5 with four RBI and hit his sixth home run since being promoted to Columbus. In 16 games he is hitting .350 (21-60) with seven doubles. Brian Bixler had three hits and an RBI. Chord Phelps, Michael Brantley, Josh Rodriguez and Jose Constanza each had two hits. Josh Tomlin earned the win by pitching six innings and striking out six. He walked one and allowed one earned run.

Double-A Akron (35-36) –Jason Kipnis hit a two-run home run and drove in three as the Aeros beat Richmond 5-4. He has three home runs and seven RBI in 10 games with Akron. Jordan Henry and Damaso Espino each had two hits. Bryce Stowell earned the win in relief. In 19 innings at Akron, Stowell is yet to allow a run and has struck out 24.

PHILADELPHIA: Winning isn't everything, but it's the first priority every game, every day.

The Indians have to balance winning now with how to become a better team in the future. That means going to war with Jason Donald, Luis Valbuena, Trevor Crowe and Carlos Santana even when they might not be the best option to win that day.

PHILADELPHIA: Aaron Laffey will take David Huff's place in the rotation beginning Friday night in Cincinnati, but that still leaves the Indians with one roster move to make.

The Tribe summoned Joe Smith from Columbus on Tuesday to give the club an extra pitcher in the bullpen, but just because Smith was the last one called up doesn't mean he will be demoted to Triple-A to make room for Laffey on the roster.

Firing an employee after 12 straight losses sends a message to a fledgling major league organization. In Pittsburgh, General Manager Neal Huntington is safe; as is manager John Russell. They secretly received contract extensions last fall.

PITTSBURGH: Whatever the Indians' future turns out to be, it got a little closer to the present with David Huff's poor outing Saturday night.

Huff gave up five runs in five innings to push his earned-run average for his past 11 starts to 7.16 with a 1-8 record. Manager Manny Acta isn't tipping his hand, but it would not be a surprise to see someone else pitching the when Huff's turn in the rotation comes around again on Friday.

""We have to revisit the situation; we don't do things by making knee-jerk reactions,'' is the way Acta put it, indicating that at least one and maybe more than one meeting will take place to determine whether Huff is optioned to Triple-A.

""David didn't give himself or us a chance from the get-go,'' Acta said, referrring to the first inning, when the Pirates scored one run after Huff walked two with two outs. ""He got them into the game by walking people.''

PITTSBURGH: The Indians today signed Kent State outfielder Anthony Gallas as a non-drafted free agent.

Gallas, a senior from Strongsville, was named to the third team of the Louisville Slugger All-American squad following a season in which he batted .369 with 24 doubles, 17 home runs and 81 RBI in 64 games. In addition to a .657 slugging percentage, Gallas struck out only 35 times in 268 at-bats.

What’s most impressive about Carlos Santana’s debut thus far? How about his keen batter’s eye: Santana has walked six times in 30 plate appearances, which means he has been walked 20 percent of the time.

He is making the pitcher’s work to do it. Twice in yesterday’s game he worked back from a 1-2 count before being walked. For the season (seven games) he is seeing making pitchers throw more than four pitches an at bat to him. His on base percentage currently sits at .467.

PITTSBURGH: Why would the Pirates sign their two highest profile executives to contract extensions and keep it secret?

That still wasn't clear one day after club president Frank Coonelly announced that one year had been added to General Manager Neal Huntington's contract, through 2011, and an option for 2011 on manager John Russell's contract was being exercised. The weird part is that Coonelly made these moves last October but never made the news public and told Huntington and Russell not to squeal.

Triple-A Columbus (40-28) - Visiting Columbus was shut out 1-0 in 11 innings by Pawtucket...Four Clippers pitchers - including RHP Yohan Pino, who did not allow a run over six innings while striking out six batters -combined to shutout the host over the first 10 frames until RHP Justin Germano (2-2, 3.71 ERA) gave up the winning run on three hits in the 11th...RF Jordan Brown was the only Columbus batter to record multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with a double.

Double-A Akron (33-33) - Visiting Akron fell 9-6 to New Hampshire...LHP and starter Kelvin De La Cruz gave up three runs on four hits and five walks in just 4 2/3 innings...But RHP Conner Graham (2-3, 4.38 ERA) took the loss after dishing up four runs on two hits in two innings of work...DH Lonnie Chisenhall homered and drove in two runs...C Damaso Espino also homered and had two RBI.

Triple-A Columbus (40-27) - Host Columbus had a scheduled day off...The Clippers remain in first place in the International League West Division with a 40-27 record - which also marks the best record in the 14-team circuit...The Clippers also lead the I.L. with a .286 team batting average...The pitching staff's 4.14 ERA ranks fourth in the league.

Double-A Akron (33-32) - Visiting Akron topped New Hampshire 4-1...LHP Eric Berger limited the Fisher Cats to a run on fourth hits over five innings but RHP Chen-Chang Lee (4-3, 4.46 ERA) picked up the win with two innings of one-hit relief...1B Mat McBride went 1-for-3 with two RBI while taking over for 1B Beau Mills, who is on the disabled list.

The Indians signed OF Jordan Casas Wednesday, their 40th round selection out of Long Beach State University in last week's draft.

The team also agreed to contract terms with the following undrafted free agents: RHP Matt Speake from Southern Arkansas University, 1B Andrew Kinney out of Southwest Minnasota State and LHP J.D. Reichenbach from Elon University.

CLEVELAND: Even without Grady Sizemore and Asdrubal Cabrera, out with injuries, the Indians' offense has picked up over the past three weeks.

Since May 25, the club is batting .251, scoring an average of 5.26 runs with 38 doubles and 20 home runs in 20 games. The Tribe's record over this span is 9-11, going into tonight's game against the Mets.

Triple-A Columbus (40-27) - Host Columbus shut out Norfolk 11-0...RHP Jeanmar Gomez (4-7, 6.28 ERA) earned his fourth win by not allowing a run and just three hits over seven strong innings while striking out six...C Chris Gimenez 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI...2B Josh Rodriguez went 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored...3B Jared Goedert went 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored.

Double-A Akron (32-32) - Visiting Akron was doubled up 6-3...LHP Scott Barnes (2-6, 6.18 ERA) took the loss after giving up four runs on nine hits over just 5 2/3 innings...DH Jerad Head went 1-for-3 with a home run, RBI and two runs scored...C Damaso Espino went 3-for-4...2B Jason Kipnis went 1-for-4 with a home run.

CLEVELAND: Interleague play for the Indians moves into the home stretch on Friday, when the Tribe begins a nine-game trip in Pittsburgh to play the Pirates.

Going into tonight's game against the Mets at Progressive Field, Cleveland is 3-3 against the National League. Considering the club's problems in interleague play over the past three seasons (14-28), the Indians are way ahead of the game this season.

Monday, just three days after the Indians optioned catcher Lou Marson to Triple-A Columbus on Friday to make room on the roster for their top prospect -catcher Carlos Santana, C Lou Marson broke up a perfect game with a sixth-inning home run to help the Clippers to a 5-4 10-inning win over the Norfolk Tides.

"I'm actually fine," Marson told the Columbus Dispatch. "It's part of thebusiness, and I knew it was going to happen, no matter what. Icould have been hitting .280, and I think, eventually, the samething would have happened."

Triple-A Columbus (39-27) - Host Columbus was doubled up by Norfolk 6-3...RHP and starter Carlos Carrasco (5-3, 4.22 ERA) gave up four runs on seven while striking out eight in seven innings...RF Nick Weglarz drove in a pair of runs...3B Jared Goedert hit a home run...1B Jordan Brown went 2-for-4 with a double.

Double-A Akron (32-31) - Host Akron enjoyed a scheduled day off after seeing its franchise-high 12-game winning streak snapped in a 3-0 shutout by Portland Sunday afternoon...During the recent winning barrage, the Aeros went from last place in the six-team Eastern League Western Division to third.

High Class-A Kinston (33-31) - Host Kinston enjoyed a scheduled day off...LHP T.J. McFarland (6-1, 2.08 ERA) was the only K-Tribe player named to the Carolina League All-Star Team, which will face off against the California League All-Stars June 22nd in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

During Monday's schduled off-day, the Aeros made a roster swap - sending INF Adam Davis back to Class-A Kinston while OF Jordan Henry joined the Aeros from Kinston.

Davis, who played in five games with the Aeros, batted .176 while showcasing his versatility by starting at third base, center field, right field and left field in a four-game stretch. He has spent the majority of the previous two seasons with the K-Tribe and was selected by the Indians in the third round in the 2006 draft.

Triple-A Columbus (39-26) - Host Columbus topped Norfolk 5-4 in 10 innings...LHP Aaron Laffey gave up three runs on five hits over five innings, but earned a no-decision when RHP Vinnie Pestano blew the save in the ninth inning, allowing a run on two hits...2B Cord Phelps hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning and CF Jose Constanza went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Double-A Akron (32-31) - Host Akron had its franchise-high 12-game winning streak snapped in a 3-0 shutout by Portland...RHP Adam White (2-2, 1.47 ERA), the Indians No. 1 draft pick in 2009 out of the University of North Carolina, took the loss despite limiting the Sea Dogs to a run on two hits over five innings while striking out six...C Miguel Perez was the only Aeros batter to record two hits, going 2-for-3.

High Class-A Kinston (33-31) - Host Kinston roughed up Myrtle Beach 10-2...RHP Marty Popham (1-1, 2.93 ERA) picked up the win, limiting the Pelicans to just four hits over six innings while striking out seven...RF Lucas Montero went 3-for-5 with a double, three runs scored and three RBI...2B Alex Castillo drove in two runs on a double...SS Ronald Rivas went 2-for-3 with two RBI.

CLEVELAND: By the start of this afternoon's game, 50 more media members than usual crowded into the Progressive Field press box to report on Stephen Strasburg, the Nationals' rookie sensation.

Indians officials reported that as of Saturday night, an additional 10,000 tickets had been sold for the game, 7,000 since he made his debut by giving up two runs in seven innings, while striking out 14 Pirates.

Over the weekend, the Indians signed three of the players they drafted earlier in the week.

The first to sign was INF Aaron Fields, a 42nd-round selection from Wright State University. Fields helped the Raiders to a 31-25 record and the regular season Horizon League title in spring, batting .327 (55-for-168) with 10 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 37 RBI while scoring 38 runs in 49 games. He is the son of current Indians hitting coordinator and former major leaguer Bruce Fields.

A day later, the Tribe anounced the signings of ninth-rounder and RHP Jordan Cooper and 14th-rounder and C Diego Seastruck.

Triple-A Columbus (37-26) - Host Columbus lost 7-6 to Rochester...RHP Yohan Pino (6-3, 4.74 ERA) was rocked for seven runs on 11 hits - including three home runs - over five innings to suffer the loss...3B Jared Goedert went 2-for-4 with a double, home run and three RBI...RF Jordan Brown also added a home run.

Double-A Akron (31-30) - Host Akron increased its winning streak to a franchise-high tying record 11 games with a 4-3 win over Portland, rallying from a 3-0 deficit with a run in each of the last four innings...With the win, the Aeros continued their climb out of the Eastern League Western Division cellar and are now in a tie for second place and a game over .500 for the first time since April 16th...LHP and starter Kelvin De La Cruz gave up the Sea Dogs three runs all in the first inning, but settled in from there...three Aeros relievers - RHP's Bryan Price, Carlton Smith and Bryce Stowell did not allow a run over the final four frames as Smith picked up the win and Stowell recorded his fourth save...C Damaso Espino led the way on offense in going 2-for-4 with two RBI and threw out two base runners attempting to steal...3B Lonnie Chisenhall launched another home run - this one his fifth in 13 contests since coming off the disabled list May 28th with a shoulder strain.

High Class-A Kinston (31-31) - Host Kinston was shut out 6-0 by Myrtle Beach...RHP and starter Joe Mahalic gave up five runs (but only two earned) on six hits and three walks in five innings...2B Karexon Sanchez was the only K-Tribe batter to garner two hits, going 2-for-3 with a walk.

Not just for catcher Carlos Santana. But for all the Indians fans who checked the sports pages and internet sites first thing each morning since the baseball season began to see if the Tribe's No. 1 prospect had been called up to the major leagues yet.

Triple-A Columbus (37-25) - Host Columbus came up on the wrong end of a slugfest, falling short in a 10-9 loss to Rochester...C/DH Carlos Santana led the way on offense, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run and three RBI...LF Nick Weglarz drove in two runs with a double...SS Josh Rodriguez went 4-for-4 with three runs scored, a double, home run and RBI...RHP Jeanmar Gomez (3-7, 6.96 ERA) put the Clippers in a hole early, dishing up eight runs on nine hits - including three home runs - in just 5 1/3 innings.

Double-A Akron (30-30) - Host Akron increased its winning streak to 10 games after holding on for a 4-3 win over New Hampshire...LHP Eric Berger (3-4) took a no-hitter into the seventh inning - a one-out double in the seventh inning to Fisher Cats 3B Shawn Bowman - while striking out seven over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. In front of the home fans, Berger busted out of a funk that saw him go 0-2 with a 10.66 ERA in three previous home starts...SS Carlos Rivero had a two-run triple..DH Lonnie Chisenhall homered for the second consecutive game.

High Class-A Kinston (31-30) - Visiting Kinston pounded out 11 hits en route to a 4-2 victory over Myrtle Beach...LHP T.J. McFarland (7-1, 2.16 ERA) won his seventh game in limiting the Pelicans to two runs on four hits while scattering nine hits over six innings...C Doug Pickens went 3-for-4 with two RBI...RF Abner Abreu went 2-for-4 with a RBI...2B Karexon Sanchez went 3-for-3 with with two runs scored.

WTAM 1000 reported early Thursday morning that C Carlos Santana has been called up from Triple-A Columbus and will make his major league debut as RHP Stephen Strasburg and the Nationals head to Progressive Field for this weekend's series.

CLEVELAND: Stephen Strasburg already has gone national and not just for the Nationals.

His major-league debut against the Pirates Tuesday night was carried on the MLB Network. Now WTBS has won the right to air Strasburg's second big-league start, against the Indians on Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field. That game also can be seen on WKYC-TV3.

Triple-A Columbus (37-24) - Host Columbus shut out Rochester 8-0 on the strength of a three-home run performance by LF Matt LaPorta...Two days after being sent back to Columbus after starting the season in the big leagues in Cleveland, LaPorta found his swing. He went 4-for-4 with five RBI.....C Carlos Santana, the Indians No. 1 prospect, picked up an RBI...LaPorta's big night overshadowed the standout performance on the mound by RHP Carlos Carrasco (5-2, 4.12 ERA), who limited the Red Wings to just three harmless hits while striking out nine over eight dominating innings.

Double-A Akron (29-30) - Host Akron increased its winning streak to nine games with a 2-0 shut out of New Hampshire...LHP Scott Barnes (2-5, 6.16 ERA) led the way on the mound by limiting the Fisher Cats to just two hits over seven innings while striking out 10...RHP Bryce Stowell picked up his third save by allowing just one hit over the final two frames...2B Cristo Arnal and 3B Lonnie Chisenhall each had an RBI...Akron has slowly climbed out of the cellar in the Eastern League Western Division and is now in fourth place, a game behind third-place Richmond.

High Class-A Kinston (30-30) - Visiting Kinston pounded out 11 hits in a 3-1 win over Wilmington...3B Karexon Sanchez led the way offensively in going 3-for-4 while LF Lucas Montero and SS Ronald Rivas each drove in a run...RHP Joe Gardner (4-1, 2.01 ERA) allowed just one run on four hits over 6 b2/3 innings to pick up the win...RHP Travis Turek tossed a hitless 1 1/3 frames and THP and closer and RHP Cory Burns picked up his seventh save.

Low Class-A Lake County (39-2019) - Visiting Lake County lost 4-1 to Clinton but remains in first place in the Midwest League Eastern Division, two games ahead of Great Lakes...1B Jason Smit went 2-for-4 with a double and the team's lone RBI on the night...RHP Austin Adams (2-3, 3.72 ERA) gave up three runs on three hits in four innings of relief to take the loss.

When Matt Laporta was optioned to Triple-A Columbus Monday, it would have been understandable if he were bitter.

The Indians first baseman/outfielder was supposed to be the Tribe's everyday first baseman coming out of spring training. But the Indians surprisingly signed veteran Russell Branyan at near the end of spring and that was the end of that idea.

Brad Grant, the Indians director of scouting, gave some insight into how hard it is to draft good catching just as Wednesday's final 19 rounds wrapped up.

"(It's difficult to find catcher's in the draft) because of the wear and tear and the ability to have an advanced understanding of the game," he said. "Catching is a premium position, and a very hard position to find. Every major league organization is always looking to try to add catching just because of how complex it is play that position."

CLEVELAND: The Washington Nationals didn't finish at the bottom of the standings because Manny Acta was their manager. But he is the man who paid the price for losing, having been fired midway through last year after 2 1/2 seasons on the job.

Now, the revamped Nationals have made a splash by unveling super prospect Stephen Strasburg and latching onto purportedly the best hitter in this year's draft, Bryce Harper, with the first overall pick.

Triple-A Columbus (36-24) - Host Columbus lost 7-5 to Rochester...All three of the Clippers pitchers gave up runs, beginning with starter and LHP Aaron Laffey, who allowed three runs on four hits over five innings...RHP Justin Germano gave up two more ruins on four hits in just two innings and LHP Jeremy Sowers (1-3, 5.01 ERA) took the loss in allowing two runs on two hits (including a home run) over the final two frames...C Carlos Santana, the Indians No. 1 prospect, had one hit - a solo home run...CF Michael Brantley was a perfect 5-for-5 with two RBI and 2B Josh Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Double-A Akron (28-30) - Host Akron won its eighth consecutive game on 3B Lonnie Chisenhall's walk-off two-run home run resulting in a 4-3 victory over New Hampshire...CF Tim Fedroff went 2-for-4 with a double...2B Cord Phelps went 3-for-5...RHP and starter Alex White tossed six strong innings, not allowing an earned run and holding the Fishercats to just one run...RHP's and relievers Omar Aguilar and Chen-Chang Lee combined to shut out the visitors for the final three innings, Lee (3-3, 5.01 ERA) earning the win.

High Class-A Kinston (29-30) - Visiting Kinston lost 2-1 to Wilmington, an unfortunate outcome considering starter and RHP Marty Popham blanked the Blue Rocks for seven solid innings while scattering six hits and striking out five...2B Jason Kipnis went 3-for-4 with three doubles and provided the team's lone RBI.

Low Class-A Lake County (39-19) - Visiting Lake County cruised to an 8-2 victory over Clinton...Starter and LHP Matt Packer (4-3, 2.37 ERA) limited the Lumber Kings to two runs (one earned) while scattering seven hits over 5 1/3 innings...relievers and RHP's Tyler Sturdevant and Jose Flores combined to no-hit Clinton over the final three innings...SS Casey Frawley provided a bulk of the offense all on his own, going 2-for-3 with a double and five RBI.

CLEVELAND: Utility middle infielder Mark Grudzielanek, who missed the past two games because of a strained hamstring, was abruptly cut loose by the Indians today.

""It was going to be a DL situation with Grudzielanek,'' manager Manny Acta said. ""We needed a roster spot, some flexibility. We needed another guy who can play shortstop, so we don't have to run (Jason) Donald out there every day. This will also give us the opportunity to play Donald at second base.''

The Indians selected RHP Jordan Cooper, a sophomore out of Wichita State in the ninth round (270th overall). Cooper originally was a 17th-round selection of the Boston Red Sox in 2008, but did not sign.

In the 10th round, the Tribe went with CF Tyler Holt, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound junior out of Florida State. Holt is a speedy outfielder "with a decent bat, albeit with below-average power," according to MLB.com's draft report.

St. Edward catcher Alexander Lavisky became a Cleveland Indian Tuesday afternoon, taken in the 8th round with the 240th overall pick.The 6-foot-1 catcher joins former St. Ed's teammate Stetson Allie, a RHP pitcher who was taken in the second round (52nd overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Indians stocked up on right-handed junior pitchers with the next two picks. With their fourth (120th overall), they tabbed RHP Kyle Blair from the University of San Diego. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder is considered by MLB.com to be a "middle-to-back of the rotation pitcher, but one who shouldn't take too long to get to the big leagues."

With their fifth pick (150th overall) another RHP - Cole Cook - will join the organization from Pepperdine University. The 6-foot-6, 210-pounder was a 36th-round selection in 2007 by the Seattle Mariners.

As expected, the Washington Nationals made Bryce Harper their No. 1 pick in the 2010 MLB Draft. The College of Soutern Nevada catcher was the concensus No. 1 pick much like the Nationals phenom and No. 1 pick of last year - right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg.

With the second overall pick, the Pittsburg Pirates selected Texas High School right-handed pitcher Jameson Taillon.

The top three picks of the Major League baseball draft are expected to go rather smoothly with Washington kicking off tonight's festivities by selecting this season's phenom - 17-year old catcher Bryce Harper.

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles pick second and third, respectively, and are expected to wipe Texas high school and right-handed pitcher Jameson Taillon and Miami high school shortstop Manny Machado off the board, though in which order remains to be seen.

CLEVELAND: It was Victor Martinez's first trip to Progressive Field since he was traded last mid-season to the Red Sox.

With his 5-year-old son, Victor Jr. -- who was carrying a cut-down aluminum bat -- Martinez headed to the indoor batting cages. When they returned, Martinez faced the Cleveland media.

""I'm excited,'' he said. ""Its the first time I'm coming back here, and it's a weird feeling, going to a diffrerent clubhouse,'' he said. left this place, but I will always have me heart in Cleveland. They did send me to one of the greatest teams in baseball.''

Martinez revealed that he will not be staying at the team hotel.

""My very first season, when I was in rookie ball, I played at Mahoning Valley,'' he said, referring to the Tribe's farm team in Niles. ""I'm staying with my host family there.''

Now that Matt LaPorta has been optioned to Columbus, which will allow him to play every day, where will he play?

The Red Sox placed closer Jonathan Papelbon on the bereavement list, and he will miss three of the four games against the Indians.

Red Sox Manager Terry Francona did not announce his interim closer, but with Papelbon out, right-hander Daniel Bard will likely take over closing duties. Bard has a 1.80 ERA in 28 games and has one save.¶

CHICAGO: In less than two weeks, the Indians' offense will be getting a new look: pitchers swinging bats.

Beginning June 18, Cleveland goes on the road to play three National League teams: the Pirates, Phillies and Reds, which means for all practical purposes Travis Hafner will be virtually useless to the club, save for occasional pinch hitting appearances.

CHICAGO: What is Frank Herrmann's secret? How does a pitcher log 19 relief appearances in Triple-A and compile an 0.31 earned-run average?

Herrmann picked up where he left off in Columbus by retiring all four batters he faced Friday night in his major-league debut, as the Indians routed the White Sox 10-1. Moreover, Herrmann didn't have the luxury of starting an inning from scratch. He was summoned in the sixth with runners on first and third and two outs.

When Dr. Richard Steadman looked inside Grady Sizemore's knee with an arthroscope today, he knew that microfracture surgery would serve the best interests of his patient, and probably nothing else would.

3B Jared Goedert saw his 21-game hitting streak snapped Wednesday - just one game shy of tying the Aeros franchise mark. But good news came Friday when he learned he had been promoted to Triple-A Columbus.

Goedert led the Aeros in batting average (.325), doubles (14), home runs (seven), RBI (32), total bases (16), on-base percentage (.382) and slugging percentage (.540). He also ranked third in the Eastern League in batting and eighth in slugging.

The Indians added Frank Herrmann to the bullpen today from Triple-A Columbus. To make room they designated Jamey Wright for assignment.

The statement from the Indians said: Hermann, 26, was originally signed by the Indians as a non-drafted free agent in 2005 after attending Harvard University. So far this year at AAA Columbus he has gone 3-0 with 2 saves and a 0.31 ERA (28.2IP, 15H, 1R/ER, 8BB, 22K) in 19 appearances out of the bullpen for the Clippers. After allowing a run in his first appearance of the season on April 8, he has not allowed a run in his last 27.1 innings (18 app.) and since May 1st, he has struck out 16 and walked just 3 in 18.2 IP (11G, 8H, 0R). On the year, Herrmann has limited AAA hitters to a .156 (15-89) average against, 4th lowest among all IL relievers, and his 7.22 runners allowed (23/28.2IP) per 9.0IP is 2nd fewest in the league.

This week's edition of Five Questions with Ross Atkins was done via a phone conversation.

Q) Akron 3B Jared Goedert just had his 21-game hit streak come to an end, just one hit shy of tying the franchise record. He is a solid defender at third base who is a bit overshadowed by prospect Lonnie Chisenhall (first-round 2008). What does Goedert need to do to in order to continue moving through the system and how is Chisenhall's progress?

Double-A Akron (23-30) - Host Akron claimed its fourth consecutive win with a 3-2 victory over Erie that completed a three-game sweep of the SeaWolves...Starter and LHP Scott Barnes allowed two runs on three hits in his first four innings off the DL, while a trio of Aeros relievers combined to limit the SeaWolves to just three harmless hits the rest of the way...C Damaso Espino went 2-for-3...RF Matt McBride went 2-for-4 with a double and RBI.

High Class-A Kinston (29-25) - Visiting Kinston lost 11-4 to Winston-Salem...K-Tribe starter and RHP Marty Popham (0-1, 5.52 ERA) was tagged with the loss. He allowed eight runs on eight hits - including three home runs - over just 4 2/3 innings...OF Lucas Montero went 3-for-4 with two doubles...RF Abner Abreu went 1-for-4 with two RBI.

Low Class-A Lake County (36-18) - Host Lake County trounced Beloit 12-6 to sweep the series, scoring nine runs in the second through fourth inning...1B Jason Smit went 4-for-5 with a double, home run and six RBI...DH Chun-Hsiu Chen went 5-for-5 with a double and two RBI...Reliever and LHP Vidal Nuno picked up his first win of the season, limiting the Snappers to just one run on two hits in three innings.

Triple-A Columbus (35-20) - Host Columbus defeated Louisville 10-7 in a slugfest, compiling nine of their 10 runs in the first four innings...Despite allowing five runs on eight hits in six innings, RHP Carlos Carrasco (4-2, 4.68 ERA) earned the win as the Clippers hitters jumped all over Bats starter and LHP Matthew Maloney (4-3, 3.73 ERA) for nine runs (seven earned) on nine hits and three walks in just 3 1/3 innings...DH Carlos Santana increased his batting average to .316 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored...1B Wes Hodges went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored...C Chris Gimenez went 2-for-4 with with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored.

Double-A Akron (23-30) - Host Akron claimed its third consecutive win via a 5-2 victory over Erie...In what was billed a billed as a pitchers duel, Aeros RHP Alex White (2-1, 1.83 ERA) outdueled Erie starter and LHP Andy Oliver (5-3, 3.66 ERA), earning the win after limiting the SeaWolves to just one run on two hits while striking out seven over 6 2/3 innings...DH Lonnie Chisenhall launched a grand slam in the fourth inning to break open a 1-1 tie game...3B Jared Goedert's hitting streak was snapped at 21 games after going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in three at-bats against Oliver.

High Class-A Kinston (29-24) - Host Kinston slipped by Wilmington 2-0, scoring the game's only two runs in the first inning via 2B Jason Kipnis' two-run home run...K-Tribe starter and LHP T.J. House (2-3, 3.59 ERA) earned the win after shutting out the Blue Rocks over five innings and scattering eight hits.

Low Class-A Lake County (35-18) - Host Lake County topped Beloit 6-1, with all its runs coming in the fifth and sixth innings...CF Delvi Cid drove in two runs...RF Greg Folgia had a triple and three RBI...Captains starter and LHP Matt Packer (3-3, 2.48 ERA) picked up the win after limiting the Snappers to one run on six hits and striking out over 5 2/3 innings.

Mike Redmond has caught every one of Fausto Carmona's starts, including tonight's against the Tigers. But when Carlos Santana is called up from Columbus, how will the Indians' catching corps sort itself out?

Triple-A Columbus (34-20) - Host Columbus beat Louisville 4-3, rallying for a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth inning...C Carlos Santana sparked the come-from-behind win with a lead off double then scored on RF Chris Gimenez's RBI single. PH Jordan Brown doubles home LF Nick Weglarz, who had reached on a walk, for the win...Santana, now batting .318, also walked twice on the evening...DH Josh Phelps went 2-for-3 with two doubles...Clippers starter and RHP Josh Tomlin gave up just three runs on five hits over seven innings, but it was RHP and reliever Frank Herrmann (3-0, 0.31 ERA) who earned the win with two hitless frames to end the game.

Double-A Akron (22-30) - Host Akron overcame a shaky Double-A debut of LHP Nick Hagadone, rallying for a 5-3 win over Erie...While Hagadone allowed three runs on three hits and two walks in four innings of work, the originally scheduled starter, RHP Paolo Espino (6-2, 3.45 ERA) took the win with five innings of one-hit ball the rest of the way...RF Jerad Head and 1B Beau Mills each collected two hits, but it was LF John Drennen's two-run double that sparked a three-run fifth inning and led to the Aeros second consecutive win.

High Class-A Kinston (28-24) - Host Kinston was edged 3-2 by Wilmington as the Blue Rocks scored two late runs against K-Tribe RHP and reliever Travis Turek (2-2, 4.36 ERA)...CF Jordan Henry led the way on offense, going 3-for-5 with an RBI...2B Karexon Sanchez went 2-for-4 with a home run and RBI and C Alex Castillo went 2-for-3 with a walk.

Low Class-A Lake County (34-18) - Host Lake County slipped past Beloit 3-2, scoring the winning run in the seventh inning when CF Delvi Cid doubled with one out and scored on LF Bo Greenwell's go-ahead double. Greenwell is now batting .326...Cid went 2-for-4 with two runs scored...C Chun-Hsiu Chen homered and walked to raise his batting average to .323. RHP Brett Brach limited the Snappers to two runs on five hits over five innings while striking out five...RHP Nickolas Sarianides picked up the win (4-1, 3.72 ERA) with three innings of hitless relief and RHP Preston Guilmet earned his fourth save with a perfect ninth inning.

Nick Hagadone made his Double-A debut Tuesday night for the Aeros, giving up three runs on three hits (including a home run), two walks and a hit batter over four innings in the Aeros 5-3 victory over visiting Erie at Canal Park.

Still limited to a strict pitch count after undergoing Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in June 2008, the left-hander did strike out five batters in his brief outing.